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Alright, I've finished going through the third chapter of the photo story, and boy is it a doozy! I swear I was jumping up and down when I read this! Beware major spoiler!

Spoiler for Oz Photo Story Chapter 3 (Detailed summary):

-The location this time is the Chinese island of Hong Kong. Apparently, Britannia has a "leased" piece of land there from the Chinese Federation, where they built a facility called the "Far East Cultural Exchange Center". In reality, however, everyone knows that it is actually a Britannian military base.
-Orpheus and co. are somewhere near the base, where they meet with Miss X and their client this time, a unnamed young man who is the leader an anti-government group in the Chinese Federation.
-Most shocking moment: The young man is described as looking Caucasian, but with hints of Asian descent in his face. He has red hair, a bandana on his head, and has a rough appearance, but the way he carries himself shows that he comes from a well-bred background. Furthermore, he seems to have some connection to Japan and later bows in "Japanese" fashion. (By the end of this paragraph, I assume most of your mouths are hanging open. Mine certainly was when I read this VERY familiar description.)
-Anyway, according to the client, his group bought a Guren Mk-I on the black market, but it was captured mid-delivery by the Britannian army, and is now in the Hong Kong base. Apparently, a transport from Camelot will soon arrive and bring the Guren back to Lloyd, so he can study it. (If Rakshata heard about this, she'd probably spit out her pipe and go on a rampage at the thought of him touching her "baby".)
-Therefore, Orpheus and the others have been asked to infiltrate the base and recapture, or if necessary destroy, the Guren before the transport arrives.
-Incidentally, it is revealed before the mission that the commander of the base is actually Carine ne Britannia, the war-loving and Nunnally-hating princess we saw in R2. (As the guest character this time, she's not bad, but her role is pretty much on the side here.)
-We then switch over to the base, where Carine is ordering her knight, Dasko la Clermont, to pilot the Guren Mk-I and get as much data collected on it as possible before the Camelot transport comes along. (Apparently, she hates Lloyd and wants to win brownie points with the Emperor by getting data on this new machine first.)
-Dasko then enters a indoor practice area with the Guren, where he proceeds to dance around and kick the butt of three Glasgows with only a lance. (I'm unsure of some parts of the battle, but despite being short it really presses upon the superior mobility of the Guren.)
-But right after this mock battle, the Byakuen suddenly comes crashing in from the ceiling (nice entrance, Orpheus) and immediately starts shooting at the Guren. Naturally, the Guren dodges and then comes in close to use the lance, which the Byakuen parries by switching to its blade, which ends up being melted by the "electromagnetic emissions" of the lance. (Apparently those things aren't just huge golden lumps of metal after all.) But, that is all according to Orpheus' plan, as he then prepares to shoot at the Guren at point blank range. Unfortunately, Dasko stops him by throwing the lance into the gun barrel, thereby destroying the cannon. But, Orpheus still has one weapon left on his right arm; the drill. He then magnificently impales the Guren in the chest, hitting the Energy Filler in order to make it blow it. However, Dasko grabs onto the Byakuen as a last resort, intending to make both of them die from the explosion. But then he notices that Carine has gotten too close to them and, being the chivalrous knight he is, he ejects from the Guren and goes to protect Carine in a trench. Thanks to this, the Guren loses its grip and Orpheus manages to get away in time, though he ejects his right arm in the process. (Definitely going to need repairs for that.) And that's how the chapter ends.

Well, leaving aside everything else, let's focus on the important thing here: the client. Let's make a few things clear first (I put it in spoiler tag just in case):

Spoiler for Points on client:

1. He looks Caucasian (in this case, we can assume this means he looks Britannian), but also seems to be partly Asian (here, we can assume he is part-Japanese).

2. He has red hair and a well-bred background despite looking rough, like a certain girl we know, and has a bandana around his head, like a certain resistance group we know.

3. He is definitely described as a "young man" in Japanese, so there is no debate on his gender, at least from Orpheus' point of view.

...Okay, based on all this, I can only see two possibilities here. He is either:

Spoiler for 2 possibillities:

a) Kallen, disguised as a man, and somehow having ended up in Hong Kong and as a leader of a Chinese anti-government group, and not very long after the Black Rebellion either. (I'd say about two months after R1 at the most, based on what I have gathered from both the manga and photo story so far.)
b) Naoto, Kallen's dead older brother, who is somehow secretly still alive and is in Chinese, apparently under a new identity and in a Chinese resistance group.

...*Spasm*...Sorry, it's just been so long since I've seen such a wonderfully convoluted hint and mystery in Code Geass. Anyway, honestly, either possibility is just as likely, as cross-dressing and people coming back from the dead have already happened so much in CG that I wouldn't put either scenario past them.

That said, my gut is saying Naoto, as I can't imagine why Kallen would be trying to get her hands on the Guren Mk-I when she already has the Mk-II, which we know was repaired after the Black Rebellion. (Plus, I just love the idea that one of the earliest accepted facts in CG, Naoto's death, would be overturned like this. It finally feels like I'm finally seeing true CG again! )

Anyway, I warmly welcome anyone else to comment on this chapter and what has been revealed!

Some interesting images there. But before I comment, here's this month's new summary for the manga:

Spoiler for Oz Manga Chapter 3 Summary (Extended):

Code Geass: Oz the Reflection (Manga) Chapter 3

The terrorists of “Fangs of the Sahara”, which was annihilated by the Glinda Knights in order to save friendly forces, have been ended their incitement. Immediately following the battle, the Glinda, while being unable to replenish themselves, head towards Béjaïa base where an unidentified white Knightmare has inflicted destruction to the utmost limit. However, Leonhard and Tink are defeated by this enemy that possesses a menacing fighting strength. Oldrin is the only one that can oppose him, but due to the enemy’s Gefjun Breaker, the Grail ceases to function and Oldrin, who reluctantly gets out of her cockpit, confronts the enemy pilot directly. His face is…

Spoiler for Oz Manga Chapter 4 Summary:

Code Geass: Oz the Reflection (Manga) Chapter 4

Oldrin confronts the terrorist with the same face as her own. Having come out of their Knightmares which had both ceased to function, they are forced to fight each other physically. As the two of them cross swords while trying to take each other’s life, Wizard cuts in and enters while piloting the gigantic black Knightmare, Agravain, and the course of the battle follows the path of chaos and confusion.

At last, it seems that the manga is starting to catch up with the photo story, as evidenced by the appearance of Wizard. I like that image of him from the manga, though I hope we'll eventually get a color image of him, along with the other characters. The Agravain also looks quite good here, I can't wait to see it in action in later chapters.

I'm surprised that we're seeing the Bradford so soon in the manga, but I suppose they're trying to move the story along now that Oldrin and Orpheus have met. I really like the Bradford's design, it's better than the Tristan's in my opinion. The Sutherland Sniper also looks interesting, with that special cannon its holding. I hope they'll give the specs for these two new Knightmares in the next Hobby Japan issue.

In any case, I'm really wondering how the manga side will progress from now on, now that the manga has caught up with the first chapter of the photo story. Since Orpheus has been doing missions that are unrelated to the Glinda Knights for the past two chapters, I suppose Oldrin and the others will also be doing their own thing for a while. The fact that Schneizel has appeared will certainly make things interesting, and hopefully we'll be able to learn more about what's been happening with the people in the Britannian homeland since the end of the Black Rebellion.

Also, for those that are interested, here's an image of cover for the first volume of the Oz manga which has just come out:

I know, the moment I saw the specs for the Agravain, I thought "this is just unfair" at the overwhelming number of weapons and systems it has. Though, since I've only seen the snapshots images of the latest chapter so far, I can't really make a judgement about Wizard's own skills. (The photo story apparently skipped over the part where he fights in that scene, giving absolutely NO details.)

And the Sutherland Sniper has a Hadron Cannon? Hmm, didn't seem that one coming. In that case, it's probably a stop-gap machine for the prototype Knightmare of the Mordred, which we'll likely see in later chapters. (Since the Bradford has already made an appearance, it will probably come up within the near future as well.)

In case anyone is interested, the first Oz volume is out, and included inside it were images and descriptions of Oldrin, the Lancelot Grail and, surprisingly, the Sutherland. (Guess they wanted to catch up for those who are new to Code Geass.) Here are the scans for them:

Spoiler for Oz Vol 1 Images:

No new information in them, unfortunately, but at least it seems that they'll be giving more KMF specs in each volume.

In case anyone is interested, the first Oz volume is out, and included inside it were images and descriptions of Oldrin, the Lancelot Grail and, surprisingly, the Sutherland. (Guess they wanted to catch up for those who are new to Code Geass.) Here are the scans for them:

Spoiler for Oz Vol 1 Images:

No new information in them, unfortunately, but at least it seems that they'll be giving more KMF specs in each volume.

Yeah, the scans are mine. I ordered the volume 1 and got it in the mail not that long ago. When I read it, the most striking that stood out to me was the changes that had been done to the images in the prologue. (Seriously, in some places its completely different from the magazine version. I guess they decided to "improve" it for the tankobon.) Also, it only includes up to chapter 3, where it basically ends where the first chapter of the photo story ended, so there is there is no plot info beyond that.

Besides that, my biggest comment of the volume would be its art. In my opinion, its really good and keeps up an amazing quality all through each chapter. The Knightmare battles also look nice, though the ones that are shown in these chapters are pretty short except for the one at the end. (Really though, reading this feels so much better than looking at the..."unique" art of Nightmare of Nunnally and Renya. Unlike those, the art in Oz really feels like Code Geass-style.)

If there are anymore questions, I'd be happy to answer in more detail.

-Panzer Hummel variants: one with large backpack cannon, other with gatling arms
-New portable cluster missile launcher used by a Sutherland, area wide
-Sniper rifle used by a Suther
-a Custom Suther with a decorated shield and a new kind of gun

Considering the purpose of Oz was to come up with new KMF variants and so on, it's actually quite nice that they're doing more of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eternal Dreamer

Besides that, my biggest comment of the volume would be its art. In my opinion, its really good and keeps up an amazing quality all through each chapter. The Knightmare battles also look nice, though the ones that are shown in these chapters are pretty short except for the one at the end. (Really though, reading this feels so much better than looking at the..."unique" art of Nightmare of Nunnally and Renya. Unlike those, the art in Oz really feels like Code Geass-style.)

If there are anymore questions, I'd be happy to answer in more detail.

Well, that last part makes me a bit curious: who is the Oz artist and what has he done before?

-Panzer Hummel variants: one with large backpack cannon, other with gatling arms
-New portable cluster missile launcher used by a Sutherland, area wide
-Sniper rifle used by a Suther
-a Custom Suther with a decorated shield and a new kind of gun

Nice art, good action scenes, bad hentai ovetones

Yeah, I'm really interested in finding out more about that new Panzer-Hummel variant and that modified looking Sutherland with the ornamental shield. Hopefully it will come out in later chapters

Actually, the Sutherland missile launcher is the "Sattel Waffen" that was first used by the Glaston Knight Gloucesters in R1 and later by Sutherlands in R2. (If you look up the Sutherland page on the CG Wiki, it states it clearly there.)

And yeah, there are some ecchi elements in there. Still, the CG anime also had some of that, so it's not like it's something new. As long as they don't go overboard, I think it won't do any harm and at least add to the comedic elements of the manga, like THAT scene in chapter 2 with Maribelle. (You know what I mean. )

And to Xander, the Oz artist and writer's name is Toujou Chika who, surprisingly, hasn't done any previous works, at least under that name. For a new mangaka to come out with such good art on her first work is a bit unusual, but since she captures the CG style to such a great degree, I will not complain. Hopefully she'll keep this quality up for the rest of the manga, and even improve further.

Alright, apparently this month's Hobby Japan is out and the Oz website has had its usual update for the latest photo story chapter. This month's looks really interesting from the looks of it.

Spoiler for Oz Photo Story Ch 3 Summary (Extended):

Code Geass: Oz the Reflection (Photo Story) Chapter 3

The Britannian army’s Hong Kong base within the territory of the Chinese Federation. This time, Orpheus’ mission is to recover or destroy a new-model Knightmare made by the Militarized Zone of India that has been captured by the Britannian army. However, in order to receive this new-model Knightmare, the Britannian forces aim at Hong Kong. Orpheus does a surprise attack on the base within a limited period of time. Within the base is the new-model Knightmare “Guren Mk-I”, piloted by Fifth Princess Carine’s knight, Dasko la Clermont.

Spoiler for Oz Photo Story Ch 4 Summary:

Code Geass: Oz the Reflection (Photo Story) Chapter 4

In order to receive a replacement Knightmare for his Byakuen, which suffered great damage in his last mission, Orpheus visits the ruins of a dead town in Hungary. This was the only place where Orpheus ever spent time in peace with his lover Euria. There, the enemy that killed Euria appears.

It seems we'll finally be learning more of Orpheus' past this time. Unfortunately, my copy will be arriving later this time because of various issues, so the MSL scans may come out first this time.

Well, this is some interesting bits of information. (I assume it came from the latest Hobby Japan?) Anyway, here's a translation of it:

Quote:

1.The one who gave Geass to Orpheus was V.V.
2.The one who Orpheus has determined as his “enemy” is his uncle Oiaguro Zivon and the organization led by him, called “Pluton”.
3.The Zivon family and Pluton are a clan that undertakes dirty jobs for the good of the Britannian Imperial Family, and currently Oiaguro has taken that away from Oldrin.
4.The reason that Orpheus rebels against Britannia is because his lover, who escaped together with him, was killed by Pluton.
5.In the Glasgow prepared and tuned for him by Wizard, Orpheus kills one of the members of Pluton (who is piloting a Sutherland).
6.Will Wizard’s true identity be revealed?

Well, now things are becoming a bit more clear in this story. Now I can't wait to the latest chapter myself.

A few bits of info on the fourth Oz manga chapter, based on information posted on the internet:

Quote:

-Like in the photo novel, Wizard interrupts the battle between the Oz twins. Only difference is that Orpheus already seems to know Wizard. (Again, the authors have some minor discrepancies between the two stories.)
-Sokia gets better from her lack of confidence and returns to the battlefield.
-Skip ahead to later, when Tink and Leonhard are in the hospital and the girls are visiting. There, they learn about a horribly inaccurate parody manga based on the Glinda Knights, which is apparently for propaganda now that the group has become more widely known.
-Schneizel, as everyone knows, makes an appearance, apparently to give the Glinda Knights the new Bradford.
-Most interestingly, a new group appears in Britannia at the end of the chapter, who seem to be neither terrorists nor the Britannian Army, and have their own agenda to turn the "imperial capital into ash and dust". (We only see the back of their leader, but my gut is saying this is Oiagura Zevon and his Pluton organization...It seems there's more going on in this story than just a battle between the Glinda Knights and the terrorists of Peace Mark.)

Unexpectedly, I just got the latest chapter of the photo story today! (Apparently the delays were taken care.) Anyway, this chapter is really interesting, as not only do we get more info on Orpheus' past, they give a shocking revelation at the end when they reveal Wizard's identity! I'll post the detailed translation in a few days, but first, I'll reveal this at least:

Spoiler for Wizard's true identity:

He's actually Oiaguro Zevon, the leader of Pluton and the person that Orpheus is hunting! Irony, anyone?

Anyway, here are the scans:

Spoiler for Oz Photo Story Chapter 4 Scans:

Also, here are the translations for the two featured Knightmares:

Glasgow Orpheus Custom:
A Glasgow that has been thoroughly tuned up to match Orpheus. In addition to the standardly equipped Assault Rifle, it is also equipped with a Mark-59 anti-armor combat knife for Orpheus, whose specialty is close combat.

Sutherland Pluton Custom: (For some reason they mistakenly left out the "n" in Pluton)
A Sutherland used by the special forces “Pluton”. Aside from the special color of all the group’s machines, it is unclear whether there is any difference with the regular Sutherland.